Astros Trade Lance McCullers Jr. to Brewers in Mid-Season Salary Move

The Houston Astros have traded right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers, with McCullers agreeing to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the deal. Houston is paying down a portion of the approximately $6.67 million remaining on McCullers' contract, a move that underscores the team's desire to free up payroll resources before the August 3 trade deadline.

McCullers, who has spent his entire professional career in the Astros organization since being selected 41st overall in the 2012 MLB Draft, did not pitch between May 13 and late June due to a shoulder injury. The 32-year-old right-hander carries a career record of 53-40 with a 3.85 ERA, though his performance has declined significantly since the 2022 season. He missed all of 2023 and 2024 following flexor tendon surgery and has posted a 6.65 ERA across 94 2/3 innings dating back to last season. This season, he holds a 6.86 ERA in eight starts.

The Brewers are also acquiring left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon, a 27-year-old who has made his major league debut but has yet to translate his strong Triple-A production to the big leagues. Gordon provides Milwaukee with six years of control, making him the more appealing asset from Milwaukee's perspective. The Brewers have developed a reputation for pitcher development through their "pitch lab," successfully engineering turnarounds for hurlers including Quinn Priester, Kyle Harrison, Tobias Myers, Trevor Megill, Joel Payamps, Bryan Hudson, and Bryse Wilson in recent years. The organization will attempt to add McCullers to that list of success stories.

For Houston, the trade represents acknowledgment that the 2024 season may not deliver the championship run the organization hoped for. By trading McCullers in his contract year—he will become a free agent after the season—the Astros capture some value rather than risk losing him for nothing while still carrying his salary. The financial relief from Houston absorbing part of his remaining contract allows the team to pursue additional moves before the deadline.